Diana A - Home Truths

[Vc0m]

Before the final two matches, Alice decided that now would be a good place for a break between matches for the folks to catch their breaths after tonight's proceedings. And as such, she decided to ask a particular LAW lady to appear on the stage tonight:

"And now, ladies and gentlemen, it's time for an appearance by the former LAWLESS Champion - Diana Accera!"

[Devilish53]

Alice had made her announcement in apt time, but she'd be left with something of an awkward silence before anything occurred. And it wasn't purely by accident either, for the woman destined to make her appearance before the masses was taking her time. On purpose!

It was with newly found arrogance that Diana Accera didn't immediately appear before the Hades crowd when called upon. Hell, it was close to five minutes before the ramp and titantron came alive again, with the Italian's graphics and music now filling the arena. The former of which had something of a drastic change - given that what was a montage of the Italian's best moments in and out of the ring was now replaced with but three words.

LAWLESS DIANA ACCERA

Without Boxing Gloves, With Sunglasses

Emerging to something of a positive response from the crowd, Diana had upon her frame a curious attire - curious indeed given the Italian had never appeared before the LAW masses wearing anything besides her wrestling bikini! Now clad in gear she usually wore in the gym, Diana had atop her head a pair of sunglasses that screamed expense. Had the Italian had a starring scene in Top Gun, those particular sunglasses would have served her well!

"Former....FORMER...LAWLESS Champion..." Diana had a microphone to hand as she appeared, with her head somewhat down and her free hand to her hips. It was the first time Ms. Accera had opted to speak before the masses since her somewhat infamous declaration of number one contendership for the middleweight belt. And evidently, the built beauty would have a lot to say this evening. For she'd be slowly pacing all the way down the ramp, never pausing for long with newly found words of arguable-overconfidence!

"Former Champion...Yeh Yeh. But former LAWLESS? Make no mistake this evening, ladies and gentlemen. LAWLESS Diana Accera made that fuckin' belt. Do you think any of goofs would be following that Pom Pom chump if she still had the gold around her waist?"

Diana's words were taking many a back - not because of their content, but because it was Diana herself that was delivering them. In a tone that began to scream of outright arrogance.

"Have any of you been even following that new chick, with the Mickey Mouse hair, who blindsided LAWLESS Diana Accera? I didn't think so..."

Diana's words towards the gal who had superseded her LAWLESS reign were hardly brimming with positivity either.

"What about you?" Diana's hand outstretched, pointing to individual members of the crowd. "Or you? Youuu? You been following her? What about you?"

Diana took a breath as she pulled her upper body back, before really leaning into the microphone for her next outright bellow.

"LAWLESS DIANA ACCERA DIDN'T FUCKING THINK SOOOOOO!"

Diana had finally reached the ringside by the time she'd stopped her own laugh, before she slid in between the middle and top rope after mounting the apron.

"What about Alison Seong, had she knocked me off? Or her best bud, Ceci-Northman? What about that cowgirl-the snake girl-THE FUCKING SEX DOMME? NAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

"So make absolutely no mistake tonight here ladies and gentlemen. Diana Accera has lost the LAWLESS championship...But LAWLESS Diana Accera fucking made the championship.

Diana then took to leaning on the top ropes to her side, as to have her figure pointed directly at the masses. Even if they couldn't see her eyes, given the Italian had yet to remove her sunglasses.

"LAWLESS Diana Accera made the championship." Diana insisted again, pushing off of the ropes to then pace to the ones to the ring, before leaning on them again. "LAWLESS Diana Accera made the hardcore division." One final adjustment would see Diana do the same again - with her figure now pressed on the ropes opposite to those she started upon. "And LAWLESS Diana Accera...is done."

Diana's words brought about more confusion upon the masses - masses that were still trying to comprehend Diana's new found arrogance.

"That's right, you fucking marks. LAWLESS Diana Accera has done it all. So LAWLESS Diana Accera is donnnnnnnne."

It was perhaps her direct insult of the crowd over her clarification that earned the Italian a fresh array of boos, with Diana pushing from the ropes to extend her hand as if swatting away their response like a hoard of flies.

"Oh don't fuckin' BOO me. What, you think I'm gonna go out of my way to carry another division? Another championship? You think I've got a spare twelve months to salvage the middleweights? Hell, tell you what, you all put together a crowdfund, get some pictures of Lillian Byrne and stick them on some milk cartons for me? Maybe we can find that fuck together and I can try and salvage that sorry belt. No?"

"Oh, oh I get it. You want LAWLESS Diana Accera to go out of her way, pair up with some mediocre fuck and put down the swat cats, is that it? Nooooo, no, I get it now-I get it now! You alllllllll want LAWLESS Diana Accera to start coming to the ring wearing nothing at all, is that right? Come down here baring my tits, put Rei-whats-her-fuck over my knee and give her a good time for THAT sorry championship, is THAT what you want?"

Diana's words of arrogance had now earnt nothing but hostile screams from the crowd, who had to bare witness to the Italian rip into near enough every champion and contender LAW had.

"Well let LAWLESS Diana Accera give you her response to all of these requests..." With another deep inhale, Diana's lips were outright touching the microphone as she pressed it up against her. "No."

Yet another cry of boos would precede Diana's penultimate outburst, with the Italian having seemingly picked the contents of her speech long before making her appearance here tonight.

"LAWLESS Diana Accera isn't here to put on another show for you fucks. LAWLESS Diana Accera has done everything LAW has to offer-she's beaten all comers. LAWLESS Diana Accera has DONE IT ALL."

With one final pace of the ring, Diana opted for her final words, having never bothered to remove her glasses nor clear her face of an overly arrogant smile.

"And LAWLESS Diana Accera came out here tonight to tell you her plan. And you booed LAWLESS Diana Accera from pillar to post. So you can alllllllllllll...Kiss my ass..."

With that, Diana dropped the microphone, before pacing her figure towards the ropes nearest the ramp...

[skip-stop]

Victoria entered her office. First of all, the Englishwoman went to the mini-fridge and took out a bottle of scotch. The Englishwoman sat down in her chair and filled a glass on the table. She wearily took off her glasses, and then took a sip of a strong drink. The alcohol burned her larynx, and then she exhaled in relief.

It was a hard day. Nerissa's match has just ended. And the only thing the manager wanted was to rest. However, she couldn't, her mind was full of thoughts. And each of these thoughts was related to work. She couldn't help herself, for Victoria her job is her life. And she always tried to do her job perfectly.

Although her last decisions could hardly be called successful. She screwed up with Charlotte first. And now she seriously wondered if she had made too much of a bet on the Native American woman by allowing her to participate in the PPV. Of course, she was one of the three main faces of her team. And, considering that Astrid and Charlotte have received enough attention lately, the decision to give the place to someone else sounded quite logical.

Everyone on her team was a big girl and she knew that no one would hold a grudge against her because of her decisions. But Victoria's approach was different. She knew when she made mistakes. And she knew when her job could have been done better. She screwed up. Again. And now she had to find a way to fix it.

"Damn it..." she said, then took another sip.

The Englishwoman pressed the space bar on the keyboard in order to wake up her pc. There was still a live broadcast on her screen. Although nothing special was happening in the arena right now. She was about to close the live broadcast in order to start working, but then she heard the voice of Alice Gaster, who announced something that Victoria did not expect to hear.

"What the hell?" she didn't understand. "It wasn't planned... or was it? How could I have missed it?"

Victoria finished her glass of scotch in two gulps and grabbed her phone. Dialing a phone number, she flew out of the office like a bullet, heading for the elevator as fast as her heels would allow. She had no right to screw up and here too.

---------------

"Two beers for me and me, huh!" said Astrid, landing her ass on a chair in front of the bar.

Astrid got another opportunity to relax. In fact, a sufficient amount of time has passed since her last match by her personal standards. However, not so long ago, by a lucky chance, she managed to find an opponent for the next qualifying match. Therefore, the Norwegian woman did not think that she should complain about the opportunity to rest before another challenge.

Although she was sure that many people in her place would be unhappy this evening. A new PPV was going on in the LAW Arena this evening. And somewhere very deep in her soul, Astrid really wished she had been there today. Because hardcore was her essence. She believed that there was nothing better than an opportunity to test her fortitude in the harshest and bloodiest conditions.

But despite the fact that Astril was an infinitely proud woman, she was not going to deprive other members of their team of opportunities. Victoria decided that another promising woman would take part in the match today. The blonde completely trusted her manager, because Victoria never let her down. Therefore, today she was going to have a good rest before returning to training before the upcoming match. The bartender put two bottles of beer in front of Astrid. She grabbed one of them and lifted it over her head.

"Kampai!"

The Norwegian woman was about to take the first sip, but suddenly her phone rang. Rolling her eyes and sighing in resignation, she put the bottle back on the bar and pulled the phone out of her pocket. Astrid raised her left eyebrow slightly when she saw Victoria's name on the screen. Usually the manager didn't bother her, especially at this late hour. Astrid held the phone to her ear.

"Wassup?" she asked.
"I hope you're not at the other end of Tokyo from the arena," Victoria said in a breathless voice.
"Four blocks away," Astrid's surprise began to grow, "why?"
"I give you ten minutes to get your ass in here," the manager commanded, "and turn on the live broadcast."

After that, the Englishwoman hung up, leaving Astrid in some perplexity. However, there was only one way to find out what was the matter. The blonde put headphones in her ears and turned on the live broadcast. This time both her eyebrows rose. But only for a moment. Because right after that, the descendant of the great Vikings frowned. She jumped up from her chair and threw several hundred yen on the bar, which was clearly more than necessary. But that didn't bother her at all.

Grabbing her motorcycle helmet, Astrid almost tore down the doors when she ran out of the bar. Putting on her helmet, she jumped on her motorcycle and turned the ignition key. The roar of an engine filled the night street of Tokyo. The front wheel of the motorcycle rose into the air and Astrid raced towards the LAW Arena.

---------------

"Hey, you can't park here!" the security waved his hands as Astrid jumped off the motorcycle right in front of the main doors of the arena.
"Then move him aside!" shouted Astrid without stopping. "But if you'll make even one scratch on him, by Odin's beard, you will regret it! Out of my way! Out of my way!"

The blonde ran as if her life depended on it. At the same time, she had to periodically look at the screen of her phone so as not to miss anything important. People on her way went to the sides, realizing that if they didn't, Astrid would just sweep them away like dust. And no one wanted to stand in the way of the Golden Dragon. She had reached a long corridor, now all she had to do was turn the corner and get to the doors of the arena.

"If she's not here in ten seconds, then we won't turn it on at all!" came a voice on Victoria's phone, who was nervously pacing back and forth in front of the arena doors.
"Listen, give her a little more..." the Englishwoman began, but then she turned her head to the side and barely restrained herself from opening her mouth in surprise. "Turn it on right now. She's here."

Entrance Music

Almost the second Diana dropped the microphone, the music started on the arena. A few seconds of increasing tempo, and then, like an explosion, the walls of the arena were shaken by the thunderous chords of the Golden Dragon theme music. And if the audience was not sure what was going on at first, then at the moment when Astrid broke down the doors at full speed, bursting into the arena, they seemed to have turned into crazy beasts.

Astrid was standing at the top of the ramp. On her head was still her motorcycle helmet with graffiti of a huge golden dragon. Her chest rose and fell heavily. But the fact remained. She was met with deafening applause and shouts from the audience and fans. It could have been more spectacular only if she had driven in here on her motorcycle, but it is unlikely that the management would have forgiven her for such impudence.

The Norwegian woman, as always when she was in the arena, raised her hands above her head, joining her palms in the manner of a crown. Victoria, who was standing next to the broken doors, smiled. The noise in the hall intensified, and the blonde began to descend the ramp. Lowering her hands, she unstrapped her motorcycle helmet. After taking it off, the Golden Dragon shook her head, releasing her long golden hair.

Astrid Arvidsson

Fans were drawn to her, but Astrid seemed adamant. Her eyes were fixed on the woman standing in the ring. Only when the woman noticed a very young fan, she stopped. The girl handed her a poster, hoping that Astrid would sign it. The Norwegian woman took a marker and looked at the poster. Smiling, she signed her motorcycle helmet and handed it to the young fan.

At this moment, those who had sensitive ears could certainly get hearing problems, because even Astrid's ears turned out to be blocked or the audience's reactions to her act. But it's time to get back to what she was rushing here for like the wind. The Norwegian woman approached the commentator's table and was handed a microphone, realizing that she had come here for a reason. Astrid's music ended and although the audience was still making noise, the blonde turned to them.

"I hope I didn't disturb your lovely evening too much, huh?" she asked, after which she received cheers. "I thought so."

She returned her gaze to Diana. However, this time the blonde was in no hurry to say something again. Those who knew her at least a little were aware that Astrid did not like to talk when it came to the ring. Instead of throwing promises that she would become the first world champion, as almost everyone here promised, she made another statement. She made it clear that she would not make such big promises, but she is ready to fight anyone who considers themselves worthy of becoming a world champion. She was here to fight. She was here to meet the best of the best. She wasn't going to make empty promises, but she was going to write her name into history. However, today she had to make an exception to her rules. Because she had something to say to this woman.

"No... no no no... no," Astrid shook her head, as if refusing to believe in something.

The woman started walking along the ring. It might seem that she was being too dramatic, but it was really difficult for her to find the right words. Now the blonde was torn apart by two feelings at once. Disappointment. Anger. Astrid turned to the audience.

"Do you want to know what my manager often reproaches me for?" she asked. "I rarely watch anyone's matches. I know the names of those I would like to meet in the ring, but I don't see the need to waste my time for damn exploring. For what? I want to enjoy the matches. I want to find out what my opponent is capable of during the match, not in advance. And, most importantly, I don't have idols, so I don't run to the screen every time to watch another veteran's match."

This did not cause any negative reaction, but the audience clearly did not understand what Astrid was driving at. However, they had to hear to understand the whole point of what the Norwegian woman was going to say. She climbed the metal steps and found herself on the edge of the ring. Suddenly she pointed at Diana.

"This woman was an exception!" said Astrid. "Damn, when my manager told me that I had to take a closer look at Diana Accera, I shrugged indifferently. But then I watched her match. And then another one. And another one. And another one. Do you know what I saw? A proud and strong woman. Confident in her abilities, but not narcissistic like most of the pieces of shit that are now at the top of LAW. I saw her go into the ring and kick ass because she's a fighter, because she had principles. Am I not right?"

This time it was an unconditional approving reaction, because everyone in this room perfectly remembered who Diana Assera was until recently. Astrid slipped between the middle and top ropes, ending up in the ring. Her gaze became more serious, lightning flashed in her lavender eyes.

"And now..." she continued. "The woman that I and all the viewers thought was much higher and more worthy than most of the others has turned into an arrogant bitch who says she has nothing more to prove."

Astrid finally turned to Diana, accompanied by the noise of the audience, who clearly agreed with her words. She looked the Italian woman straight in the eye, not hiding her irritation. Astrid bared her teeth and brought the microphone to her mouth again.

"Did the taste of gold turn your head?" she asked. "Do you think that having been a LAWLESS champion once, you are now on top of the whole world and that there is no one and nothing ahead of you?"

The blonde shook her head again, pursing her lips slightly. That way she answered this question instead of Diana. But that wasn't all she was going to say. She wouldn't have come here just to rub Diana's nose in the shit she said here.

"You could bring a challenge. You could come here and say that despite losing the title, you are ready to kick the ass of both Raina and everyone else who stays in their seats too long," Astrid took a step forward, as if exerting pressure, "but what do I see instead? I see you. I can see your mouth opening. I can see your lips moving. I can even hear some sounds you make. But do you know how I hear it? Blah blah blah!"

Astrid defiantly raised her left hand, connecting her thumb with all the other fingers for each uttered blah. She had already gotten to the bottom of what she was going to say to Diana. She couldn't believe that Diana had betrayed herself after holding the gold belt in her hands. Anger was literally bursting with the Golden Dragon, who took another step towards the brunette.

"Gold rush or what?" she asked. "Your journey with the LAWLESS title was short, but amazing. But do you really think that this gave you the right to think that you are the best? What's next? Next time, will you say that Apex is not needed at all and they should just give you the world title?"

Judging by what Diana said during her speech, it really could be true. The audience understood this and began to boo it. Astrid's eyes were still fixed on Diana and she wasn't going to take her eyes off her. A smirk appeared on the lips of the descendant of the great Vikings.

"You know, before you ask the same question that every arrogant bitch I fought in this ring asked, thinking it was cool," many in the audience laughed, realizing that it was about the question "who the hell are you" that Astrid heard from the lips of every rival, "let me ask you a question. How about me to knock that shit out of your head right now? In the most hardcore way. After all, it's Hades PPV, right?"

To deafening applause, Astrid spread her arms to the sides, standing in front of Diana no more than two meters away. It was clear that the blonde was not joking and that she was ready to bump her fists with Italian woman's right here and right now. If, of course, the former LAWLESS champion has enough courage, which, judging by her previous words, she left in the same place where she left her gold belt.

[Devilish53]

This wasn't a promo delivered with intent by Diana to draw out her next would-be rival. Nay, if Diana wanted that, she'd of made said promo a lot more personal. Which was saying something, given the digs and insults she already felt apt to include.

No, Diana was merely out her to boast - a Diana Accera appreciation moment if you will - one that if anything, would have been undermined by her next would-be opponent appearing to fire back at her. Needless to say then, you could imagine the sour look that built upon her face the moment the music hit. Music she had yet to hear herself in person when present in the ring, yet music she was familiar with all the same. How could she not be, given the owner?

The applause from the crowd had already somewhat taken the edge off Diana's intended moment. To come out here and insult those on the roster, followed by what she felt to be some honest digs at the crowd, only to then be upstaged by one earning the crowds outright approval made Diana a little red in the face. Though not literally, not yet anyway. Diana's newfound ego wasn't merely present in a scripted promo she had practiced backstage several times over. No, the Italian's confidence in herself had gone through the roof since her brief LAWLESS run. And that was saying something, given her confidence in herself prior.

Having been interrupted just prior to the microphone outright leaving her fingers, a dapt move by the Italian would see it right back in her hands. She felt she needed it for what was to come, as Diana herself backpedalled as to have her rear side pressing against the ropes now furthest the entrance ramp. There'd be no threat of attack upon Astrid from the Italian - just yet at least - nor would Diana even seek to interrupt her. If Astrid wanted to trade verbal shots with her, then so be it.

Though damn if Diana didn't regret a lack of interruption on her part, if but partially. For Astrid wasn't holding back with her words - words of praise at Diana's initial performance, only for the accurate observation to be made that a brief stint holding a championship had gone to Diana's head. Those thick sunglasses were still upon Diana's face, but they'd do nothing to hide the brief moments where the Italian bared her teeth.

Whatsmore, she'd be made to look all the more a fool as she lay against the ropes, with Astrid being allowed to cut the distance towards her as if claiming ownership of the ring. The Diana of old would have paced back - to stake her own claim on territory inside the squared circle, leading to the likely scenario of bodies pressing tightly. Astrid had the weight and general build on Diana, not to mention a notably larger bosom. Though damn if Diana's body didn't look as toned as ever.

Instead, she'd be made to look somewhat weak, as Astrid looked to near back her into a corner. Albeit the saving grace on Diana's part would be that the Italian would not budge following her initial rest upon those ropes. If only for her to stand up straight with that microphone coming to her lips.

"You...Didn't see me..." Diana stopped, raising a hand as if to clear a cough, only for it to become apparent she was merely correcting herself. "You...Didn't see LAWLESS Diana Accera...Come out and whine at your ass whilst you called out Alison Seong..."

Diana straightened up all the more as she spoke, with the hand free of the microphone extending a finger as to point right at Astrid's bosom. With it soon becoming apparent that she wasn't just familiar with Astrid. Not at all. Much like how the blonde had bared witness to Diana's antics in the ring, so too had Diana in return. Strong competition was what the Diana of old lived off of, so it was without saying that Astrid's encounters were something that Diana always put time aside to watch. At least, before the Italian's ego had become outright toxic.

"You...didn't see LAWLESS Diana Accera try and steal your moment when you pressed tits against Karen Starring...Youuuuuu...Didn't see LAWLESS Diana Accera...come down and tickle Kyoko Akan's belly before you were done putting her down...

Diana had taken a good step forward by now, with her extended finger coming dangerously close to outright making contact with Astrid's bosom. Though her eyes, unseen behind those sunglasses, would refuse to break their lock with Astrid's own pair of blues.

"So I tell youuuuu what, 'Golden Dragon'..." Diana would make note to put special emphasis on ridiculously phrasing Astrid's nickname, as if it was something out of the ordinary within the world of professional wrestling.

"Seeing as how LAWLESS Diana Accera doesn't try to upstage your moment, why don't you share the same courtesy?" With that Diana finally lowered her microphone, before pacing to the side of Astrid as to step into more open space. She'd be quick to turn and step back of course, as to make it apparent that she wasn't in search of an exit.

"See, this isn't going to go down how you hoped. You're not going to 'set me off' or say something that will get LAWLESS Diana Accera to swing for you, oh no. And no..." Diana turned, opting to address those in the crowd who thought the idea of an official match between the two here and now was a grand idea. "We ain't having a fuckin' match either, you goofs..."

Turning back as the boos reigned in, Diana had finally lowered that finger as she now pressed that hand to her hip.

"You're not getting a fight, because you don't deserve one. LAWLESS Diana Accera isn't Alison, she ain't Kyoko and by fuck she certainly isn't Karen. You don't come up into LAWLESS Diana Accera's face and demand a fight. LAWLESS Diana Accera fucking comes to you. Though, not you specifically..." Diana opted to put her acting chops to good use, as she began to pace as though she was dancing around an issue before outright saying it.

"Well, I mean...someone with your...career...I mean..." Diana was growing all the more 'jittery' as she paced around the ring, as if the awkwardness was growing only for it to be undermined by the fact Diana was barely holding back a smile. With greater ego, naturally, came greater arrogance.

"I mean...if you asked LAWLESS Diana Accera...I'd say...I'm not impressed by your performance..."

Diana felt she could have gone on with her tirade, but a genuine laugh by her own insult brought about a pause from her. And what fun was there to be had in merely ranting, without giving Astrid the chance to 'fire back?'

[skip-stop]

Perhaps only a blind person would not have noticed that Diana was not very happy that someone interfered with her performance. The brunette said a lot of words praising herself. Not all words have any weight. But if the Italian woman could calmly leave the ring after everything she said, then the audience might really have reason to think that Diana's words were something meaningful. And judging by the expression on Diana's face after Astrid arrived at the arena, she really had hope that no one would try to refute everything she said.

Sunglasses sufficiently hid the emotions of the brunette. Maybe it really worked with the audience. But Astrid, who was approaching Diana closer and closer without remorse, saw almost every shadow on the Italian woman's face. Of course, she had no goal to corner Diana, however, the brunette herself allowed the Norwegian woman to do it. Because of the ropes behind her, she literally had nowhere to retreat.

However, it soon became clear that Diana had remnants of pride and that she was not going to retreat. After starting to answer, she also began to slowly walk forward. And when the women were close enough to each other, the audience made a little noise. Despite the fact that they both had enough clothes on now, it was not difficult to see that they were not only equal in height and weight, but also that their bodies were almost one hundred percent made of muscles. It was a truly mesmerizing sight. However... no matter how spectacular Diana was, her breasts were a size or two smaller than Astrid's. Score for Astrid. Which caused a wide smile on the blonde's face.

The Italian woman's words made Astrid raise her left eyebrow. It was no secret that the descendant of the great Vikings did not like to talk in the ring at all. She preferred the good old-fashioned brawl, because fists speak much louder than any words. However, once in LAW, she realized that she still had to talk. Thanks to the women she has already met in this ring, she is in a sense used to loud and pretentious words. But what Diana was saying just now... to put it mildly, it looked like some kind of joke.

Speaking of the women Astrid managed to meet in fights, it was about them that Diana was talking now. At some point, when Diana bypassed Astrid, it might have seemed that the brunette decided to leave the ring. However, she was well aware that this would be a blow to her reputation, so she just turned around. Astrid did the same, so as not to lose sight of the Italian woman. The blonde smiled ironically when she heard Diana's words that she was trying to steal her moment. She had something to answer, but for now she wanted to hear what else the brunette was going to say.

And the next words were disappointing. Both for Astrid and for the audience. The brunette refused the match. But what was even more disappointing was her arguments. In another situation, Astrid would probably have felt a blow to her pride, as was the case with Kyoko. When the Belly Queen said that Astrid was not worthy to be in the same ring with her, the blonde felt an irresistible desire to wring the neck of this impudent purple-haired woman. But there was an unshakable confidence in Kyoko's words, backed up by her overblown ego.

But in Diana's case, she didn't hear the same confidence. For some reason, Astrid got the impression that the former champion was trying to deceive not only Astrid and the audience with these words, but also herself. Not impressed by the career and the performance? Seriously? The right corner of the blonde's lips dropped down, and her right nostril slightly lifted. It was as if she couldn't believe everything she had just heard. Why? Because all this had very little to do with reality. The Golden Dragon took a deep breath and brought the microphone to her mouth. Like the brunette, she decided to add a bit of theatricality. So Astrid raised her left index finger.

"First things first," she said, emphasizing that this is the most important thing she's going to say, "FUCK ALISON SEONG!"

Laughter and noise filled the arena, as the hashtag that Karen and Astrid accidentally created on Twitter was still fresh in their memory. The blonde could not miss the opportunity to hurt her rival, because she had no respect for Alison. Astrid always knew how to respect her rivals, even if they did not have the most pleasant character. Kyoko was a good proof of that. However, Alison was a fruit of another field, she had no honor at all and Astrid did not like it. However, Alison didn't deserve a special place in this promo, so Astrid continued.

"Next," she said, taking another step toward Diana, "to upstage your moment, really?"

Astrid shook her head. Perhaps this was the strangest part of what Diana said. Of course, she was wearing glasses. But the color of these glasses was not pink. Therefore, the Norwegian woman sincerely did not understand why the brunette looked at things through rose-colored glasses, which made things much more vivid and meaningful than they really are. But if Diana needs to look at the world without glasses, then Astrid will help her with this.

"Diana, I'm not trying to upstage your moment," the blonde said, "I'm trying to save you from the shame that you are so actively trying to cover yourself with, pretending that your run with the LAWLESS title has lifted you to the very top."

Altruism? Well, not really. Of course Astrid wanted a match. Of course she wanted to test her strength against another veteran. Therefore, it was pointless to deny the fact that by coming here today she was to some extent pursuing personal motives too. However, what she said at the very beginning was the pure truth. Diana was one of the few people she respected. And it was hard for her to believe that now there was a woman standing in front of her trying to prove that she had already achieved everything that could be achieved.

"Nine times," the blonde continued, taking another step forward, leaving only two steps between them, "nine fucking times you called yourself LAWLESS Diana during your tirade, there is just one problem, you no longer have anything to do with LAWLESS!"

One more step and now there was practically no distance between them. Yes, they were equal in height and weight, but due to the superiority in breast size, Astrid hung over Diana like a cloud. The Norwegian woman's lavender eyes were directed straight into the brunette's glasses.

"If you were at least half as cool as you think you are, you would throw this microphone and hit me in the face, starting the match right now," Astrid said, barely restraining contempt, "then I would believe that in front of me is LAWLESS Diana, who is ready to kick any ass."

Perhaps not every word Astrid said was chosen correctly, because she was not used to such long speeches at all. Now she was saying what she thought, nothing more, so she didn't really care that she could choose more correct words. The main thing for her was to convey the meaning.

"Are you saying you're not impressed by my career and my performance?" a rhetorical question. "I'll tell you more. I'm sick of everything you've said here. Once you were one of the badass women, and now you're just a former champion with an overblown ego."

It seemed that there was simply nowhere to take another step, but Astrid did it anyway. Completely ignoring Diana's personal space, she pressed her voluminous breasts into Diana's less, now LAWLESS, just less voluminous breasts.

"Maybe you think this hardcore PPV is not your level now?" Astrid asked with an obvious grin, realizing that now she must touch the deepest strings of Diana's soul. "You think that LAWLESS Diana should shine in the spotlight, right? So what if I provide that for you? If Hades PPV is not your level, then why don't we fight at Apex?"

The noise hit Astrid's ears. The audience clearly did not expect that she would decide to raise the stakes that high. And if she had to be honest with herself, then Astrid would have to say that she didn't plan to do this. She was really ready to bleed Diana here and now, on Hades PPV. However, the brunette literally forced her to throw this challenge.

Yes, she behaved aggressively, but this was only a consequence. Astrid couldn't believe that a woman like Diana had sunk so low. It wasn't a crusade, not at all. But the Golden Dragon's soul was telling her that she had to do something about it. She should remind Diana of what she was like before she touched the golden belt. Because that Diana was a real fighter. And this Diana was just a shadow of her past self.

"If you have at least something left of the badass Diana that you were," Astrid lowered her voice slightly in order for the brunette to understand the seriousness of her words, "then agree to the match, otherwise get the fuck out of this ring and continue your tirade on Twitter. Anyone who doesn't have the courage to accept the challenge doesn't deserve to be here!"

[Devilish53]

Diana had to keep cool.

It was only Astrid who could see how uncomfortable the Italian was, what with those thick sunglasses of Diana's blocking the view from all else.

Not only that, but this was her promo. Her moment. To be duked into losing her cool, or worst still actively throwing a fist would have made Diana look a fool and then some. Even more so after her ego filled rant.

Though the latter wouldn't have at all earned a boo from the crowd. Quite the opposite. For Diana, prior to her LAWLESS run, would have been a pea in the pod with the blonde staring her down. Talk was cheap outside of designated interview segments, and the Italian herself hadn't appeared before the masses to purely speak prior to day since her public declaration of being the middleweight number one contender.

And even that was purely done so to get a brawl going.

The Diana of old versus the Astrid of now would have been a classic to be sure, with the blondes outright power being met head on with Diana's incredible athletic ability. And the clash of technique? Oh it was hardly a wonder how the audience roared in disproval of Diana's refusal to fight here and now. A fight Diana had no interest in committing to, regardless of what Astrid said.

Rolling her eyes as Astrid called out to the twitter antics regarding one Alison Seong, not that said rolling could be seen, Diana appeared to look as mighty as she could as the blonde fired back, in an exclusively verbal fashion for the most part. Body tensed with arms and shoulders a little flexed, it was a rarity indeed that Diana herself looked to be the smaller in a fight. Despite the fact she was a middleweight, Diana was rippling from head to toe with toned muscle. She couldn't compete with Astrid's bosom - something that would have been a open talking point to the cavalier Diana of old - but arms, abs and thighs were all something Diana took pride in. And yet, Astrid if slightly, had her beaten on all counts. And it only became clearer with every step the blonde took.

"Just...to clarify..." She'd raise a finger, as if to put a brief pause in Astrid's response before sliding her own in. "You could never upstage m-...the LAWLESS one's moment...Every fucking second I'm in this ring...is my moment..."

Smug grin growing, Diana held it across her face as Astrid was given room to speak. Though damn if she didn't come close to interrupting her all the same.

Even more so as Astrid stepped against the muscular Italian, forcing Diana's modest bosom in with the utmost ease. Had Diana of even attempted to push back using nought but her torso, she'd have been made to look a fool to say the least.

Instead, she'd try to do that which she had been doing with Astrid since she got here.

She'd look to play the blonde off.

Stepping outright back with her head lowering, Diana's grin turned into an outright laugh, with her arms briefly going limp as if she couldn't hold them up for laughing. Tensing up with a roll of her shoulders, Diana would once more begin a leisurely pace around Astrid, with that microphone again raised as she glared out into the audience.

"You've come out here - fine speech by the way - to rebuff everything the LAWLESS one just said...and yet you didn't listen to a word she said in the first place?"

Diana would stop, briefly turning as if to quite literally look down her nose at the powerful blonde.

"I will say it once more. I will say it for the chumps in the back - the clowns in the audience - and damn I'll say it for that pink-frizzled-curly-haired-fuck who pinned be for the LAWLESS belt..."

"I...do not need...the belt...I am...The LAWLESS division...Champion...Championship-hell I'm even the fucking merch. I do not need a strap of gold to fucking say otherwise..."

It wasn't apparent to all, but for a brief moment, it was perhaps the fact that Diana felt she had to repeat herself that made her frustrations build. At least enough to refer to herself outside of third person for one sentence. Though even that soon changed.

"Though...Look at you? The same can't be said-I mean...APEX...Wow..." Diana raised her hand, pressing the tips of her fingers to her head as if to stop herself from fainting.

"Your bags aren't even unpacked and you're just putting your feet up...You know what Astrid...Good for you..." Diana extended an elbow, nudging it into Astrid's own as if to congratulate her in mocking fashion. Before Diana once again turned, as to have her back upon the ropes, this time with one leg raised to rest upon the bottom rope.

"LAWLESS Diana hopes you get it too-no-no! She really does...!" A little thumbs up would be given by the hand free of the microphone, as Diana's grin grew all the more smug. "LAWLESS Diana Accera is even gonna be there rooting for you. 'Yeh! Openweight Champion Astrid!' Little Golden dragon tassles and all. You should be able to spot her in the crowd. She'll have the sign reading 'I pressed tits with Astrid Arvidsson and lived'..."

Diana's hand then finally lowered, with a slap of her fingers upon her thigh, as if to signal that she was fed up.

"But your APEX match. Nah. You're not having it with LAWLESS Diana Accera...You're not even having a qualifier with her...Hell. She's not even gonna play a round of rock paper scissors with you. And she'll tell you why, little dragon."

"The openweight Championship? This company? APEX? Those in the back? None of them are on the LAWLESS ones level. And guess what?"

Leaning forward, Diana looked to purposefully have her sunglasses slide to the end of her nose, as to allow Astrid a clear view of her eyes for the first time in this ring.

"That includes you, fucker."

[skip-stop]

What did Astrid expect? It's hard to say. Given the circumstances, she thought Diana would set her some conditions or something like that. Someone could probably say that it was naive on the part of the blonde, but she really thought that the Italian woman would accept her challenge.

And it wasn't that Astrid just wanted to get the Apex match. The fact was that she really believed that Diana's behavior was something like inebriation. And she really believed that such a big challenge would be a bucket of cold water for the former champion. But Diana's words and actions were as far as possible from any expectations of the Golden Dragon.

Of course, Astrid has met people who seemed to live in another reality more than once in her life. But even now she could tell that Diana had surpassed them all. And that was something Astrid couldn't understand. Once again hearing the bravado that Diana is LAWLESS and LAWLESS is Diana, the Norwegian woman sighed wearily. They say that the ram constantly crashes into the gate with his head, not because he hopes to break them, but simply because he is a stubborn stupid ram.

Astrid felt about the same way about Diana right now. If the Italian woman really plunged so deeply into her fictional world, believing that now she is on top of everything, then Astrid is unlikely to help her with this. Therefore, in order not to waste time, it would be best to just leave Diana in the world of her dreams.

"You need a doctor..." slightly shaking her head, Astrid said with some sympathy.

But before the Norwegian woman could take a step towards the ropes, Diana's speech went in a different direction. At first Astrid didn't quite understand what the brunette was trying to say. And when the former champion poked the Golden Dragon's elbow, the woman only slightly raised her left eyebrow.

However, then, when Diana began to retreat to the opposite ropes, Astrid's heart began to beat faster. Yes, she understood that every word she said was aimed at getting her out of herself. She wasn't the kind of person who could listen to such shit with a straight face. Provocation. It's just a provocation. She shouldn't react to it. And stil...

"You..." Astrid said, while Diana was still talking.

If earlier Astrid felt what could be called sympathy, then with these words the brunette crossed out any good intentions that Astrid had. They say that your tongue is your enemy. Diana's tongue has just signed her sentence. The Golden Dragon hated it when someone treated her with a neglect. Kyoko was the best proof of that. But in the case of Diana... it wasn't even a neglect... it was a pure lie. And Astrid wasn't going to listen that.

"You're just a coward, Diana!" said Astrid with barely concealed anger, looking into the eyes that were no longer hidden behind the glasses. "You don't want a match now. And you don't want a match later. Okay. Then I'll give you a cognitive recalibration even without a match!"

If this term was too complicated for Diana to understand, then the meaning of it should have become clear to her in a few seconds. Since Astrid was going to throw the microphone aside, and then head to the Italian woman in order to send a banal, but hard right cross into her face! Even a fictional world has boundaries. And if Diana thought that her words and actions would have no consequences, then she was very wrong. Astrid had pride. And she'd be damned if she'd let anyone talk that shit about her.

[Devilish53]

This was no good.

Of all the times Diana had seen promos like this - hell, times she'd been on the other side; where Astrid was now - there was only one way in which someone in her position could achieve success.

With Astrid losing her cool.

And right now? Why would she?

Diana was firing off with the quick wit, but she was hardly faultless. Astrid had a response for everything the Italian had said, and she didn't seem to be showing signs of slowing down. Diana on the other hand could only keep up the same schtick for so long before she'd end up repeating herself or hell even tiring herself out. The former of which had already somewhat begun, with the novelty of the ego filled Italian wearing thin on the few in the crowd who were still giving her the benefit of the doubt.

Until, all at once.

Diana 'won.'

For in amidst another run of the mill insult, Diana would find the microphone effectively slapped from her hands as Astrid launched her assault. With a strike that outright cleaned her clocks!

With the crowd going outright ballistic at the sudden action, Diana would be left reeling by the strike that nearly wiped the spittle from her mouth. Hitting the ropes with both hands coming up behind her to grasp them, Diana quickly brought her left up to sooth her cheek - with the Italian almost inspecting her hand right after, to check for blood. Whilst there was none, Diana could already feel her cheek begin to swell!

Glaring at her hand, then at Astrid herself, it looked as though Astrid would get her wish as Diana near enough raised her own right fist right after. To seemingly throw a hook of her own!

Only, Astrid wouldn't be so lucky!

Instead, she'd be forced to bare witness to the Italian suddenly hitting the deck, as she promptly fell to her back only to then roll out under the bottom ropes in one fell swoop. With a scowl attached!

"YOU DON'T FUCKING DESERVEEEEEE IT..!" She'd scream, fist still poised even as she slowly began to backpedal up the ramp. To an outrageous chorus of boos - directed right at her cowardice!

[skip-stop]

One of the sweetest feelings in the world. When the fist collides with the opponent's skull. A wave of true pleasure passed through the blonde's body when her knuckles crashed into Diana's cheek. Someone gets pleasure from driving fast, someone gets pleasure from drinking, someone gets pleasure from sex. Astrid was no exception, as she loved it all too. But she could only get real pleasure during a fight. Especially when she got the opportunity to punch a coward and a liar in the face.

Diana's head jerked to the side due to the force that the descendant of the great Vikings put into the punch, however, this was clearly not enough to knock out the brunette. Even though she had turned into a bastard who were deceiving both herself and everyone around her, she was still strong. But Astrid did not count on knocking out the Italian woman. She hoped that this would give Diana enough incentive to start talking in the language of the fists. The Golden Dragon wanted to receive an equally powerful punch. Yes, she wanted Diana to hit her hard right in the face. A stupid wish? Well, it may seem that way to most. But not to Astrid.

And at the moment when Diana swung, clenching her fist, the Norwegian woman was ready to meet this fist with a smile. But... it didn't happen. Instead of exchanging blows with the blonde, the former champion left the ring, leaving Astrid near the ropes. Grabbing the top rope, the Golden Dragon bared her teeth. Yes, she knew that Diana had achieved what she wanted. She really managed to get the blonde out of herself. But Astrid didn't give a damn about what Diana was trying to achieve.

"You disgrace this ring, Diana!" Astrid shouted in response to the Italian woman's words. "You disgrace the LAWLESS title and you disgrace even your own name!" Should the Golden Dragon have jumped out of the ring in order to continue the pursuit? "You're just a shadow of the great woman you were, because the real Diana would never run away from a challenge!" Astrid pointed at the former champion, who was rapidly retreating to the curtains. "And you know what, yeah, run, bitch, run while you have the chance..."

Yes, Astrid was brazen, especially considering that she had no qualms about challenging almost every veteran she met. And there was nothing to hide here, each of these matches was not only a way to test her strength, but also to become famous like her great ancestors. But she didn't come here today just to get another loud match. Today, she hoped that she would be able to reach out to the woman she once respected. And it hurt her to see what Diana had become. But she wasn't going to chase her now like a dog. Why? Well, Astrid knew one simple truth.

"Because no one can run forever!!!"